Help re a leak. . Or is it?

[movan]

Really upset.. Been in lockdown for one reason or another all year apart from one short journey months ago.

Last night had phone call that storage fees due and so no choice, drove to farm to pay. Was dreading seeing mh after months in case of mice... but was so sad to see state of it as I approached. Can't do anything either as am not allowed to wash van at the storage and not got facility at home. GREEN GUNGE everywhere.. Dread what the roof will look like.

Picked myself up and went inside...... Mildew on cupboards and some of upholstery... but most upset on one cupboard with damp on its walls but about 1/4 inch of water on top shelf of it.... .

Question: have oncology appointment plus a scan due so can't do anything for abou week.. But as well as wiping everything down with disinfectant to kill the mildew spores, will I make the damp worse by putting heating on for a day? I know it may encourage mice. Any advice welcome.

This photo doesn't really show how bad the cupboard is. The tins are standing in the water.
Sorry for long post.

 

[BusyBuilder]

I'm so sorry for you, I would absolutely devastated if that was my van. I would empty it completely, try to fine where the leak is, get on the roof if need be.
Clean out the van and all water, get a heater in there asap. and if you can a dehumidifier as well. Don't let it get any worse inside than it is.

 

[DavidG58]

1. Don’t worry about the green a good wash will sort that I use a man from Buxton who I know will come out to you and charges £80 for all over deep clean

2. Don’t worry about the damp inside, but only because worrying will not mend it

my hope is you might have the same as mine, when it snowed a few weeks ago we had a fair bit of water come in through a skylight, I think because when it melted the snow stopped it running off and the water got much deeper than could normally

I really hope it is something that simple

as for heating, if on hook up I would say yes, just low level heating though

 

[TheBig1]

It may just be damp due to lack of airflow. Empty the cupboards and dry them out, then leave the doors open to vent. A leak would show as soft wood at the back of the cupboards first

I have seen and cleaned up a lot worse

 

[Figaro]

Don't worry about the green gunge, 99% is cosmetic and will scrub up nicely but you need to empty the cupboards and find the source if the leak
It's probably something simple but needs sorting quickly.

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[Trevor Wbm]

Yep, the exterior is no biggy. I use TFR (Traffic Film Remover) on all my vehicles about once a year - you can get it from any decent car spares place, i.e. maybe not Halfords, and it shifts everything apart from tar.

I have more experience with static vans and boats than motorhomes, but until you're sure it's a leak do not underestimate how much condensation can build up over time.

Edit to add - don't suppose you're near Southampton are you? Cleaning that up would be a really satisfying job!

 

[Mikey RV]

Joy first and most important thing, don’t worry, the green on the outside will wash off. Really you should have emptied all food etc before putting it away, things like the tins etc would have got cold and damp and condensated so some of the damp will be caused because of this. If there is only a small bit of water in the shelf the leak is not big with all the rain we have had over the last few weeks so hopefully will look worse than it is. Hope you get it sorted soon.

 

[Odd-no-more]

The green stuff will wash off easily, the damp issue may just be condensation, was the cupboard open or closed? I always empty cupboards and leave them open

 

[tonka]

As others, i would empty everything out and leave the cupboard door open to allow more airflow.
You have have a leak, especially as it looks like there is a joint seam above the right hand cupboard.
Adding heat may just make things worse, especially any mould growth.

HOWEVER.. It may have just have been caused by snow build up and slow thaw..

My van had a big puddle on the dashboard recently. wet patch on the drop down bed and wet inside the rooflight. I suspected a leaking seal BUT lucky for me it was a blocked drain outlet in the spoiler around the lift up rooflight, it is parked under trees so lots of leaves. Looks like the snow must have thawed, had nowhere to run off as the drain was blocked and so pooled around the rooflight until it soaked through the foam seals. Been to check often after lots of rain and no further issues.

Fingers crossed for you...

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

You may have had some snow or rain blown in Joy,just clean it up and check around your vents.on a nice day go back to your van and open up the vents to let some fresh air in,take out all the food etc and give everywhere a wipe over with an antibacterial wipe,then a dry cloth. As advised leave cupboard doors open to ventilate. Don't worry about it it can all be sorted.

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[David and Sally]

It may just be damp due to lack of airflow. Empty the cupboards and dry them out, then leave the doors open to vent. A leak would show as soft wood at the back of the cupboards first

I have seen and cleaned up a lot worse

The tins would have acted like condensers.. Clear out and I think it will all dry out.

 

[f6c]

Joy dont fret of the outside of your van that will clean up. As already said open all cupboards lockers, try and get some fresh air in the van.

 

[Hils and Glenns]

How upsetting Joy. Like everyone else has said the outside is just a wash. Lets hope the inside damp is just caused by condensation and a good airing and some better weather fixes it. Fingers crossed

 

[WASPES]

Tins cutlery saucepans kettle will all attract condensation, as have been said empty all lockers leave all cupboards open. I leave 3 of those plastic throwaway dehumidifiers on the shelves and table they work a treat.

 

[movan]

Bloomin' covid. It makes me cry over everything.. adverts, songs, books and now cos you have all been so lovely and helpful. Thank you.

Yes, the cupboards are full as I had hoped to South to visit my daughter after first lockdown.. but ill health and covid stopped play.

I will do as you have all said. Thank you. Xxxxxc

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[2657]

We use dehumidifying crystals in our static which has been left unused from September until May in a wet region of France for the past 14 winters, never a hint of mildew or damp.

Need to be careful not to spill the resultant liquid that collects in the container, if it gets into wood or carpet it never dries.

 

[irnbru]

Oh Joy, I know how you must be feeling. Once its had a good wash things wont hopefully look so bad. Hopefully it has been caused by snow or driving wind/rain getting in a nearby skylight or condensation as others have said.

The roof of ours is filthy too but I daren't wash it in fear of it leaking again.

Keep your chin up girl, sometimes things arent as bad as they first seem. Sending you a hug x

 

[Just smiffy]

I’m 99.99% that the water is from the tins in the cupboard, it’s amazing how much water they can produce in condensation...

try to clear out all the cupboards and leave them open, dry as much as you can with towels and on a sunny day get down there and open all windows and doors to air the van which will help it dry out and stop the mould.

worry about the outside when you can travel again, it’s only cosmetic and will clean easily enough with a bucket of soapy water and a soft broom.

do not heat the van as that will cause more damp...

 

[Odd-no-more]

I leave the skylight over the shower open and a window on the lounge open a crack

 

[ambulancekidd]

I'm also an advocate of TFR, but some of the modern stuff is very weak & only the caustic stuff works properly.
The outside really isn't too much to worry about, but the cans inside can be, as has already been said, just remove them.
if possible, leave a couple of windows on the first catch, the airflow works wonders.

I've spent the day out in ours & because of the constant snow we're having here & have an electric heater on as frost protection, it makes a hell of a difference.
Now if you need further help or advice, give Hazel a ring & I'll have a wee chat with you about it & stop worrying, you'll get wrinkles!!!

Kind regards....Robert x

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[irnbru]

I've spent the day out in ours & because of the constant snow

REALLY! We've had none, fed up of google telling me its going to snow and nones came.

 

[ambulancekidd]

REALLY! We've had none, fed up of google telling me its going to snow and nones came.

We've had plenty Sandra, but we're quite high above sea level. Its not getting a chance to settle today, but it will before the week is out again.

 

[Spriddler]

As already said the outside green, streaks and dirt is easily sorted. In fact, to put your mind at rest mine looks much the same as yours and mine is in my drive, but I'll only have to clean it once when the better weather comes. I used to give it intermediate cleans in winter but then realised that I wasn't really achieving anything other than a nice but short-lived warm feeling as it soon became grubby again, and grubbiness shows up more on a cleaned van.

 

[Baldeagle7470]

Joy,
We have used a spray for mould from B&M when in the U.K.
From memory Mould and mildew remover,for the interior really works well and non aggressive.
Just spray a little and rub then remove preferably with a microfibre cloth you can wash and reuse.
So sorry to see your van but as said a car wash with a powerful Lance,avoiding any vents will soon bring it back to its former glory.
Brian x.

 

[Stonemags76]

Look on the bright side - if you empty all the food cupboards you can save some money by having some “mixumgetherams” as my mum used to call them! See how creative you can be, & let us know!

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[westhamman]

Well Movan, I'm no expert on these things so I'm not going to offer advice. I also know that telling you not to worry will not stop you worrying, but as you know there is lots of people on here who care about you and plenty with lots of expert advice when the cause is actually known to turn to for advice. It's easy for me to say and some will say motorhome fun isn't the place, but there are lots of people on here when your feeling low to talk too as it often easier to type it tal it. But you know all this already, just dont forget it.

 

[Pilote270]

hi Movan,
I had a similar issues 4 years ago.
1:- Outside grime is not a big issue. wash it down whenever.
2:- empty all cupboards and wipe dry. clean with detol or other similar.
3:- to facilitate a dry out (if you can ) heat van in anyway you can - preferably with window ajar or dehumidifier.
4:- look at roof seal above area with water ingres and make good a quick seal using 4" sail repair tape over suspect roof joint. ( this is an excellent quick leak repair ) I have used it on a friends leaking caravan to good effect.

I trust all goes well.

 

[Figaro]

I’m 99.99% that the water is from the tins in the cupboard, it’s amazing how much water they can produce in condensation...

Joy,
Thinking about it, It`s possible the freeze we had around Christmas may have split one of those tins and the water contents run out on thawing, so you may not have a leak at all
Fingers crossed for you

 

[RandallC]

Hi Movan,

Can understand your concern, as others have said probably condensation.

Is the problem only in the cupboard with tins in?

would suggest as others in clearing out the cupboards and drying out as best you can and check in a couple of days especially if you’ve had heavy rain (having left some kitchen towel in the cupboard) if you still have concerns re water ingress how about covering the roof with a plastic/ground sheet as a stop gap till you can get it looked at.

good luck.

 

[TheBig1]

Really upset.. Been in lockdown for one reason or another all year apart from one short journey months ago.

Last night had phone call that storage fees due and so no choice, drove to farm to pay. Was dreading seeing mh after months in case of mice... but was so sad to see state of it as I approached. Can't do anything either as am not allowed to wash van at the storage and not got facility at home. GREEN GUNGE everywhere.. Dread what the roof will look like.
View attachment 462444View attachment 462445View attachment 462450

Picked myself up and went inside...... Mildew on cupboards and some of upholstery... but most upset on one cupboard with damp on its walls but about 1/4 inch of water on top shelf of it.... .

Question: have oncology appointment plus a scan due so can't do anything for abou week.. But as well as wiping everything down with disinfectant to kill the mildew spores, will I make the damp worse by putting heating on for a day? I know it may encourage mice. Any advice welcome.

This photo doesn't really show how bad the cupboard is. The tins are standing in the water.
Sorry for long post.

View attachment 462452 View attachment 462446 View attachment 462447 View attachment 462448

If it really is a leak Joy, the kitchen towel or loo roll on the bottom shelf would be a soggy mess first. So almost definitely only condensation

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